As the Washington Commanders head to the Pacific Northwest, playoffs will be on their mind.
The Commanders are just a game out of the 7th and final spot in the NFC.
Washington is tied for eighth with the Atlanta Falcons, but the Commanders’ win over them gives them the tie-breaker.
With the Minnesota Vikings losing Kirk Cousins for the season, they are far from being a certainty to hold on to the last spot.
Washington has won four straight regular-season games in Seattle.
Those wins have yet to come with Sam Howell at quarterback.
The rookie quarterback will have to battle the Seahawks defense along with one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL.
Howell has thrown an interception in his last three games, and he’s been sacked at least three times in every game except one.
You can give the second-year starting quarterback a lot of criticism, but there’s also praise.
Howell has six games with 240 yards or more passing. He’s been asked to make almost every type of throw in the book, and he’s done just that.
Washington offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy has called plays as if Howell is a seasoned veteran, and it has helped the organization get a detailed evaluation of the young quarterback.
On paper, Seattle has all of the advantages on Sunday, but Howell’s growth and his ability to make plays means Washington has a chance.
